Gas-bubble lesions were described in cetaceans stranded in spatio-temporal concordance with navalexercises using high-powered sonars. A behaviourally induced decompression sickness-like disease wasproposed as a plausible causal mechanism, although these findings remain scientifically controversial.Investigations into the constituents of the gas bubbles in suspected gas embolism cases are highly desirable. We have found that vacuum tubes, insulin syringes and an aspirometer are reliable tools for in situ gas sampling, storage and transportation without appreciable loss of gas and without compromising theaccuracy of the analysis. Gas analysis is conducted by gas chromatography in the laboratory. This methodology was successfully applied to a mass stranding of sperm whales, to a beaked whale stranded in spatial and temporal association with military exercises and to a cetacean chronic gas embolism case. Results from the freshest animals confirmed that bubbles were relatively free of gases associated with putrefaction and consisted predominantly of nitrogen.[...]

Methodology for in situ gas sampling, transport and laboratory analysis of gases from stranded cetaceans (www.nature.com/scientific reports; Nature Publishing Group)

DI GUARDO, Giovanni;
2011-01-01

Abstract

Gas-bubble lesions were described in cetaceans stranded in spatio-temporal concordance with navalexercises using high-powered sonars. A behaviourally induced decompression sickness-like disease wasproposed as a plausible causal mechanism, although these findings remain scientifically controversial.Investigations into the constituents of the gas bubbles in suspected gas embolism cases are highly desirable. We have found that vacuum tubes, insulin syringes and an aspirometer are reliable tools for in situ gas sampling, storage and transportation without appreciable loss of gas and without compromising theaccuracy of the analysis. Gas analysis is conducted by gas chromatography in the laboratory. This methodology was successfully applied to a mass stranding of sperm whales, to a beaked whale stranded in spatial and temporal association with military exercises and to a cetacean chronic gas embolism case. Results from the freshest animals confirmed that bubbles were relatively free of gases associated with putrefaction and consisted predominantly of nitrogen.[...]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11575/10946
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